Jesper Krijgsman

Interview la botanica magazine

Supernatural Landscapes by Jesper Krijgsman @jesper.krijgsman Zurich, Switzerland
Interview by Contributing Editor: Olya Titova

‍La Botanica: What is the idea behind the mystical gardens? In what way is this concept reflected in your artworks?

Jesper Krijgsman: I’ve always been fascinated with visual storytelling and especially digital image editing techniques. I’ve also discovered an inner passion for nature. During my travels, I’ve encountered places that truly felt enchanting. I believe that this magical part of nature is something that is often overlooked these days. For example, the distinctive look of a particular plant is the result of its evolutionary process, or the behavior of certain animals is the result of the adaptation to their environment.

I try to convey an emotion in my work. I challenge myself to do this solely using natural and organic material. I believe that people have an emotional reaction to plants and flowers as soon as they realize it is living matter, that they have to overcome obstacles just as we do.

Although there are scientific explanations for these qualities, I’m often amazed by its creativity and diversity. I try to reflect this ingenuity in my work and explore realms in which this mystical inventiveness is untouched and amplified. In my process of editing my photographed material and placing it onto my digital canvas, I try to let go of everything around me and place my elements based on my intuition. Basically, I am mirroring a landscape that starts to grow: it often changes its course based on its interactions and takes its time before it gets finished.

LB: You are a professional graphic designer. How does the process of art-making connect and interact with this occupation?

JK: My profession of a graphic designer goes hand in hand with my artistic journey. I’m used to working with image editing programs on a daily basis. In the process of making my early graphic design work, I learned that I lean towards complex design rather than a minimalistic approach. This tendency didn’t always help me in the making of the graphic work, I was often asked to reduce details in the designs I made. I think that those commentaries fueled my desire to work on something without any constraints, something opposite of minimalism. I challenged myself to work with unconventional material in the digital world. Today I feel that my work is perfectly balanced between the job of a graphic designer in a communication agency and my own projects.

In my work, I try to celebrate the diversity of all that is living, not just it’s beauty, but it’s intelligence and ingenuity.

‍LB: What is your favorite part about working with flowers?

JK: During my process of photographing plants and animals, I get an intimate look at its properties. I get really excited when in the process of looking for new material to work with, I discover some unique shapes and colors that I have never noticed before. Since everything in nature serves a purpose, I start to imagine how this living being has developed itself into what it is today. I try to convey an emotion in my work. I challenge myself to do this solely using natural and organic material. I believe that people have an emotional reaction to plants and flowers as soon as they realize it is living matter, that they have to overcome obstacles just as we do. In my work, I try to celebrate the diversity of all that is living, not just it’s beauty, but it’s intelligence and ingenuity.